The Legitimate Literary Agent: AALA Membership, Ethics, and No Upfront Fees

What truly defines a legitimate literary agent or agency?

In this episode, we do a deep dive into the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) to answer this critical question.

While many reputable agents are AALA members, we uncover the surprising fact that membership is not mandatory for legitimacy. The key indicator is a clear, ethical fee structure.

We break down the AALA's membership levels, application process, and their strict Canon of Ethics, which prohibits the red-flag practice of charging authors upfront reading fees or making representation contingent on paid editorial services.

Whether you're an aspiring author seeking representation or an aspiring agent building your career, this episode provides the essential guide to navigating the industry with confidence, emphasizing that legitimate agents work on a commission-only basis, earning money only when they successfully sell your book.

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